Clinical sample storage cassettes

Abstract

A clinical sample storage cassette and an assembly comprising the clinical sample storage cassette is provided. The clinical sample storage cassette can comprise a top layer, a distributor layer, and a storage membrane. The top layer can comprise a first side to receive a clinical sample and a second side coupled with a distributor layer. The distributor layer is to receive the clinical sample from the top layer. The distributor layer can comprise a first distributor side coupled to the second side and a second distributor side coupled to the storage membrane to transfer the clinical sample to the storage membrane. The distributor layer and the storage membrane can have different flow rates of the clinical sample to allow for uniform flow and storage of the clinical sample on the storage membrane.

1 . A clinical sample storage cassette comprising:
 a top layer comprising a first side to receive a clinical sample and a second side opposite to the first side to couple with a distributor layer;   the distributor layer coupled to the top layer to receive the clinical sample from the top layer, wherein the distributor layer comprises a first distributor side coupled to the second side of the top layer and a second distributor side coupled to a storage membrane to transfer the clinical sample from top layer to the storage membrane; and   the storage membrane to receive the clinical sample from the distributor layer and to store the clinical sample, wherein a flow rate of the clinical sample through the distributor layer is greater than a flow rate of the clinical sample through the storage membrane to allow for uniform distribution and storage of the clinical sample in the storage membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top layer comprises a sample inlet port for introduction of the clinical sample into the clinical sample storage cassette and wherein the sample inlet port extends from the first side to the second side of the top layer. 
     
     
         3 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distributor layer comprises a plurality of sub-distributor layers, wherein the plurality of sub-distributor layers comprises:
 a top-most sub-distributor layer having the first distributor side coupled to the second side of the top layer;   a bottom-most sub-distributor layer having the second distributor side coupled to the storage membrane; and   a plurality of intermediate layers disposed between the top-most sub-distributor layer and the bottom-most sub-distributor layer.   
     
     
         4 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of sub-distributor layers comprises distributor ports. 
     
     
         5 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a number of distributor ports from the top-most sub-distributor layer, through each of the plurality of intermediate layers, and to the bottom-most sub-distributor layer increases exponentially by an even power of 2. 
     
     
         6 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the top-most sub-distributor layer comprises 2 distributor ports and the bottom-most sub-distributor layer comprises 16 distributor ports. 
     
     
         7 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distributor layer is porous. 
     
     
         8 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top layer is fabricated from acrylic plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distributor layer is fabricated from one of glass fibers and acrylic plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top layer, the distributor layer, and the storage membrane are coupled to each other by a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) tape. 
     
     
         11 . The clinical sample storage cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distributor layer comprises a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel comprises:
 a main channel to receive the clinical sample from the top layer; and   a plurality of sub-channels extending away from the main channel to receive the clinical sample from the main channel.   
     
     
         12 . An assembly for storage of clinical sample comprising:
 a clinical sample storage cassette comprising:
 a top layer comprising a first side to receive a clinical sample and a second side opposite to the first side to couple with a distributor layer; 
 the distributor layer coupled to the top layer to receive the clinical sample from the top layer, wherein the distributor layer comprises a first distributor side coupled to the second side of the top layer and a second distributor side coupled to a storage membrane to transfer the clinical sample from top layer to the storage membrane; and 
 the storage membrane to receive the clinical sample from the distributor layer and to store the clinical sample, wherein a flow rate of the clinical sample through the distributor layer is greater than a flow rate of the clinical sample through the storage membrane to allow for uniform distribution and storage of the clinical sample in the storage membrane; and 
   a container to hold the clinical sample storage cassette; and   a desiccant pack provided within the container to dry the storage membrane.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the distributor layer comprises a plurality of sub-distributor layers, wherein the plurality of sub-distributor layers comprises:
 a top-most sub-distributor layer having the first distributor side coupled to the second side of the top layer;   a bottom-most sub-distributor layer having the second distributor side coupled to the storage membrane; and   a plurality of intermediate layers disposed between the top-most sub-distributor layer and the bottom most sub-distributor layer.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the distributor layer comprises a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel comprises:
 a main channel to receive the clinical sample from the top layer; and   a plurality of sub-channels extending away from the main to receive the clinical sample from the main channel.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the container is a centrifuge tube. 
     
     
         16 . A method for collection and analysis of clinical sample comprising:
 receiving by a clinical sample storage cassette the clinical sample, wherein the clinical sample storage cassette is held in a container, wherein the clinical sample storage cassette comprises:
 a top layer comprising a first side to receive the clinical sample and a second side opposite to the first side to couple with a distributor layer; 
 the distributor layer coupled to the top layer to receive the clinical sample from the top layer, wherein the distributor layer comprises a first distributor side coupled to the second side of the top layer and a second distributor side coupled to a storage membrane to transfer the clinical sample from top layer to the storage membrane; and 
 the storage membrane to receive the clinical sample from the distributor layer and to store the clinical sample, wherein a flow rate of the clinical sample through the distributor layer is greater than a flow rate of the clinical sample through the storage membrane to allow for uniform distribution and storage of the clinical sample in the storage membrane; 
   drying the storage membrane by a desiccant pack provided within the container;   receiving by the container an elution buffer;   centrifuging the container to extract the clinical sample from the storage membrane to obtain a remnant fluid comprising a mixture of the elution buffer and the clinical sample; and   providing the remnant fluid for analysis.